AD is particularly difficult, not for the one who has it, but for the caregivers. They are the ones who still have their brains working – the ones who remember the sort of person the afflicted one used to be. They are the ones who have to put up with the unreasonableness of behavior now and, in essence, just accept it, roll with its punches, laugh and live with it. That is all that is left for us to do.
I have had a stroke. I am a different person now. I could not take care of my mother, who went through a phase where she hated me, then she was depressed and I was at a complete loss. But I am lucky. I found The Noli Center, a caregiving home for AD patients. My mother is happy there and I am happy, too.
On Thursday, September 21 and 22, the 1st National Congress on AD opens at the Philippine Plaza Hotel. It is brought to you by the Association of Alzheimer Disease of the Philippines (ADAP), which estimates that by the year 2030 (when I shall hopefully be dead), 14.5 percent of Filipinos will probably have AD. This will be a tremendous burden on the healthcare system as well as on the economy.
They say that AD is a brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, behavior and personality. Yes, my mother has become a totally different person. She now is still fond of me but she introduces me as her mother. I smile. What else can I do? AD does not respect geographical, economical, social, political or educational backgrounds. I can see that, too. According to Dr, Mayvelyn Gose, AD is a misunderstood condition. "The line that separates fiction from fact is blurred," she says, "and it is dreaded by most people, talked about in whispers with a large dose of shame and sometimes, wry humor." Our culture inhibits us from acknowledging that our parents are afflicted with AD. Why? I do not understand. I know AD causes enough confusion and grief that we need to discuss it and talk about it in groups just to give us some relief. I think we need support groups for caregivers. The patients are happy enough. To give the congress a chance at attaining their goal, we must address and change our own culture. Ha! A difficult chore to undertake but it is doable!
Nevertheless, I shall go to the congress to see if I get to understand AD better, if I can help organize support groups, if I can assist in the setting up of more AD homes similar to The Noli Center but at a lower cost. Putting my mother in a home goes against our culture, but believe me, it is the best thing I ever did. She smiles again. She is happier there with the other patients and she has caregivers who pay attention to her.
If you want more information, you may call the ADAP office at 723-12039 or check out their website at www.alzphilippines.com/. Go there to get more information if you have noticed the following symptoms from your older folks: forgetfulness, difficulty in performing complex activities, or impaired reasoning abilities. Sign up at their website now.